Woman gets on flight to Chicago. Then a ‘frat boy’ pilot gets on the intercom: ‘Can confirm many of my pilots are 23-30 years old’
A woman got onto a flight heading to Chicago. Then she heard the rather youthful voice of a “frat boy brother” on the intercom that took her by complete surprise.
TikToker Lindsey Powers, a Chicago-based content creator, was taking a flight back home when she heard a bona fide “frat boy” on the intercom. A pilot, who sounded younger than she expected, issued a warning for passengers to stay in their seats due to inclement weather by saying, “It’s all over the Rockies and stuff, so it’s just gonna be a little bumpy.” The casual way he made the announcement surprised Powers, whose video detailing the pilot’s announcement has over 358,000 views.
Then, commenters gave her and others a news flash. A new generation of pilots has started making it to major carriers. That means, new slang and new approaches to announcements overhead that are smooth in an entirely different way. For many, the change is a welcome surprise that makes them feel a bit safer.
Why are pilots these days so young?
Getting all the certifications to become a pilot takes years, but if a student attends an accelerated program, they can land a job at a regional carrier within two or even three years if they take all the right steps. The path from regional to major might take a few additional years, which means that there are first officers (FO) hitting the airlines between the ages of 26 and 28.
Many student pilots decide, fresh out of high school, that they want to fly. While the training program and extensive certification can cost anywhere from $86,995 to $108,995, pilots also get paid around $114,180 in their first year as long as they’re flying commercially. That combination makes being a pilot an incredibly advantageous opportunity. In 2025, the FAA released its U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics, which showed a large increase in pilots across the board. Now, more than ever, young people are becoming pilots and entering the industry.
Pilots and flights change
When pilots get younger, it also means that their slang changes. Naturally, many commenters shared some of their favorite quips from their flight crew when heading to their destinations.
“The young pilot on my last flight made sure to point out the ‘pretty sick’ view of the Grand Canyon as we flew over Arizona,” one commenter said.
Another added their experience, saying, “My pilot once said on a trip to Chicago ‘I’m putting my crocs in sport mode and will get us there fast’ I said you know what hell yeah.”
Overall, Gen-Z is more likely to be casual in professional settings, which might be surprising to those taking a flight. While most people assume pilots are smooth and amiable, they also don’t assume that they’re that laid-back and informal. For many, the more informal nature of a pilot’s announcement made them feel friendlier, which helped the ride feel a touch safer. Gen-Z hearing a “frat boy” make announcements might just be familiar and a touch comforting.
@lindseypowers_ And best believe this man got us there on time just like he said ?? #travel #delta #pilot #lol #frat ♬ original sound – lindsey powers
The Mary Sue reached out to Lindsey Powers via email for more information.
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